ARMENIAN SOLDIER VOLUNTARILY PASSING TO AZERBAIJAN REFUSES TO RETURN TO ARMENIA

Today.Az
July 24 2008
Azerbaijan

The representatives International Committee of the Red Cross met with
Armenian soldier Paruyr Stepanyan, who transferred to Azerbaijani
side voluntarily today, reports Day.Az with reference to ANS TV. The
conversation was private.

Though Stepanyan intended to make a statement in the presence of mass
media representatives, the head of the Baku office of the Red Cross
Martin Amasher noted that journalists’ participation contradicts to
norms of international conventions, Azerbaijan joins to.

The Armenian serviceman told reporters following the meeting with
the Red Cross representatives that he passed to Azerbaijani side
because of tortures, taking place in the Armenian army, as well as
lawlessness in his country.

According to Stepanyan he asked the Red Cross officials to transfer
him to a third country. But the organization has not yet replied to
his request.

It should be noted that the Red Cross representatives delivered
Stepanyan’s letter to his family.